Pregnant Women Should Avoid this COVID-19 Vaccine

The WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization issued Interim recommendations on January 26, 2021, for the use of the Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine against COVID-19.

The new SAGE recommendations included, but are not limited to the following: the Moderna vaccine is safe and effective in people with known medical conditions associated with increased risk of severe diseases, as well as chronic infections that are stable and controlled.

Although further studies are required for immunocompromised persons, people in this category who are part of a group recommended for vaccination may be vaccinated after receiving information and counseling. And known HIV-positive vaccine recipients should be provided with information and counseling.

And, Moderna's vaccine can be offered to a breastfeeding woman who is part of a group recommended for vaccination (e.g., health workers). Discontinuing breastfeeding after vaccination is currently not recommended.

However, SAGE stated, 'While pregnancy puts women at a higher risk of severe COVID-19, the use of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in pregnant women is currently not recommended, unless they are at risk of high exposure (e.g., health workers).'